PSA on software patents

There is an absolutely brilliant
animation, obviously done by
somebody in Europe, on software patents. With the exception of the (gasp!)
photographic representation of Richard Stallman
(of the FSF, with whom I generally do not share
views).

But, the point is still valid that software patents are (in their current
incarnation) dangerous to innovation in the computer community. As they stand,
they provide an excellent opportunity for larger organizations to band
together and limit innovation from upstarts, which is certainly not what the
founding fathers of this country were thinking when they codified patents in
the constitution.